Why the labels?

Why is it that politicians have to label themselves?  I'm not a democrat or republican. I'm just me, an American citizen.  With a nation of free speech and thought I find it hard to believe that our government for the most has only two ways of thinking, democratic or republican.  No person has the exact same views on every issue.  I believe this constant labeling has corrupted our way of thinking and is killing our society.  By labeling ourselves, our thought process can become one sided believing only what those labeled alike tell us.  One example is voting, some may say they would never vote republican or vice versa.  They shut out the views of another based on a label yet on certain issues they may have the exact same beliefs.  When voting, I vote for a person, not a political party.  Politicians may also be reluctant to voice how they truly believe because of backlash from their political party.  Voting should be done based on whats best for the country not because of a label. According to James Madison, factions are bad yet our government is split into the two largest factions. Let's do away with these labels and focus on solving issues.